Automatic ring traveler gun



Sept. 28, 1937. R. P. ANDREOLI AUTOMATIC RING TRAVELER GUN Filed Aug. 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sh eet l Fabertfflndreoli INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Sept 28, 1937. R. P. ANDREOLI AUTOMATIC RING TRAVELER GUN Filed Aug. 12, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Robert P find/" 0h;

ATTORNEYS Sept. 28, 1937. R. P. ANDREOLI 2,094,517

AUTOMATIC RING TRAVELER GUN Filed Aug. 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Robe/"t .P/inareol,

BY myzawl'ill.

ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to devices for the placement of travelers on the rings of spinning machines and the like.

There is in common use in the art of textiles an appliance known to the art as a traveler. These devices are used in great numbers and are composed of ac-shaped form of wire clip. In use, the travelers are engaged over a flange of the traveler ring forming part of a spinningor twisting machine. The placement of such travelers on the spinning machine rings by hand is a tedious and awkward operation in that same involves the springing of the traveler so as to snap it in place over the flange of the traveler ring. In view of the large number of travelers needed an appreciable amount of time is required to install these appliances by hand.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide an efficient and serviceable device resembling in general arrangement that of a pistol, the use of which will accomplish the placement of the travelers on spinning andtwisting machine rings in an efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device of the characterindicated a feeder mechanism for the travelers including a magazine adapted to contain a large number of the travelers, thereby obviating the necessity for frequent reloading.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an automatic ring traveler gun comprising means for driving a traveler ontothe flange of a spinning machine ring and including a simple feeding mechanism arranged to operate in unison with the traveler driving means, thereby assuring the feeding of a single traveler for each operation of the device.

A still further object is to provide a traveler placement device the feeder mechanism of which .may be conveniently adjusted to accommodate the tool for use with travelers of various sizes; the traveler gun also being adjustable for useon spinning or twisting machines of various dimensions.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connec tion with the accompanying drawings which form part of the application.

In the drawings:

'Fig. l'is a general side elevational view of a portion of a spinning or twisting machine illustrating'the use of the device in placing a traveler on the spinning ring.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational. view of the device,

the cover thereof being removed, certain parts be- 7' ing broken away in central section.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the adjustability of the traveler raceway comprising the dev1ce.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device as shown in Fig; 2, the nozzle portion being broken away to illustrate the traveler shunting device forming part of the feeding mechanism. 7

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the traveler magazine shown in Fig. 5, parts thereof being broken away; and

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional View taken on line 1-4 of Fig. 2, parts thereof being shown in elevation.

Reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings for a more detailed description thereof and particularly to Fig. 1, wherein is illustrated a portion of a ring spinning machine 8 comprising a spindle 9, a bobbin III, the frame of the machine including a rail member II. In the operation of spinning or twisting, a traveler ring 12 is clamped in place on the frame of the machine, being concentric with the bobbin ID. The traveler ring [2 of the usual form is I-shaped in cross-section, on the upper flange of which a traveler i3 is engaged by having the free ends of the traveler snapped into place under the mentioned flange.

The traveler gun indicated by numeral l4 comprises a barrel 15, a pistol grip l6 and a framework I'!, the same being adapted to house the feeder mechanism of the device. In use, the gun is grasped by the pistol grip IS, the finger of the operator being disposed to press a trigger l8 by which the device is actuated.

Reference isnow directed to Fig. 2 for a description of the traveler driver mechanism of the device. Within the barrel I5 is slidably retained a plunger I 9, the forward end 20 of which is arcuate and inclined forwardly so as to engage the traveler i3 during the forward movement of the plunger I-9 and impart to the traveler a forward and downward movement causing the same to be snapped over the flange of the traveler ring [2. The plunger [9 is urged to retracted position by a suitable spring 2| and the movement of plunger i9 is limited by a stop pin 22 riding in a groove cut in the barrel l 5. The plunger i9 is propelled by impact of a pivoted hammer 2 3. The hammer 23 is pivotally mounted in the grip I6 by a pin 24, the head of the hammer 23 being disposed to strike the end of the plunger E9. The hammer 23 is actuated by a compression spring 25, the latter surrounding a rod 25 having a yoked end pivotally engaging the hammer 23 by a pin 2i. The pressure of spring 25 is adjustable by means of a thumb screw 28, the same being threadedly engaged in a swiveled nut mounted in the gun frame. The inner end of the thumb screw 28 engages an end of the spring 25, the opposite end of which presses the yoke of rod 25 to actuate the hammer 23.

The trigger i8 is arranged to swing on a pivot 33 and is urged to forward position by a suitable spring 35'. The trigger i3 includes a springbacked pivoted pawl 35, the projecting end of which is disposed to engage a shoulder 32 formed on the hammer 23. The positionof the trigger l8, shown in Fig. 2, is that taken by same as pressure is applied during the firing of the device. It will be observed that the hammer 23 is in retracted position preparatory to striking the plunger l9. During the initial retraction of the trigger E8 the pawl 3i rides along the surface of the hammer 23 adjacent the shoulder 32 and as the trigger it assumes its rearward position the pawl 3! thereof moves beyond the shoulder 32 and the hammer 23 is thus released to be driven against the plunger is bythe spring 25.

The magazine for containing an adequate supplyof the travelers I 3 is illustrated particularly in Figs. 6 and 7, being indicated by numeral 34. The magazine 33 is preferably of cylindrical form, closed at one end, the open end being arranged to abut an annular surface 35 formed on the frame ll of the device. The interior of the magazine 34 is provided with a series of axially disposed guide bars 35 of a T-shapecross-section, the flange being adapted to retain a series of the travelers H3 in alignment. The slide bars 36 are rigidly supported within the magazine 34 by suitable means and have their corresponding ends also abutting the annular surface 35. On each of the bars 35 is slidably carried a slide block 37,

the same including a guide lug 38 having its end engaged in a slot cut in the periphery of the magazine 35. Each of the slide blocks 31 is backed by a compression spring 39 surrounding the rod 36 and adapted to urge the series of travelers against the annular surface 35.

The magazine 33 is mounted for rotation relative to the frame ll, being carried on a stud 45 extending transversely from the frame IT. A spindle 4i forming a part of the magazine 34 provides a journal by which the magazine is rotatably carried on the shaft 55, the spindle 4! being rigidly attached to the end wall of the magazine. To permit removal of the magazine 34 from the device for purposes of reloading, the free end of shaft 40 is threaded to receive a thumb nut 32 which, in conjunction with a suitable spring 43, holds the magazine 34 in frictional engagement with the annular surface 35. The cylinder forming the magazine 34 comprises an inner shell 44 and an outer shell 45, the latter being removed from the inner shell 44 to provide access to the slots guiding the lugs 38.

In the reloading of the magazine 33, same is removed from the shaft '35 by unscrewing the nut 42 and a plurality of travelers l3 are slid endwise onto the several guide bars 35, during which the springs 35 are contracted by holding back by suitable means the respective lugs 38. When the'magazine 34 is replaced on the device the several lugs 38 are released and the respective rows of travelers i 3 are pressed against the arw nular surface 35.

To effect the desired discharge of one traveler l3 from the magazine 35 into the feeder mechanism hereinafter described, the magazine 33 is rotated a predetermined angular distance coactively with the release of the trigger I8. The spindle 4| includes a ratchet wheel 45 at its free end adjacent the frame I7, the teeth of the wheel 46 being engageable by a spring backed pawl 4'1, the same being pivotally carried on a lever 48. The lever 48 is pivoted at 49 and has its opposite end operatively engaged with a notch 55 formed. in the trigger Hi. It will be seen from this that upon release of the trigger I8, the pawl 47 is moved downwardly, thus rotating the magazine 34 an angular distance equivalent to the spacing of the guide rods 35.

In this manner one of the travelers i3, at each actuation of the trigger i8, is delivered from the magazine. to a point in the annular surface 35. The feeder mechanism now operates to transfer each of the travelers received from the magazine 34 to a raceway 52 which guides the series of travelers 13 to the nozzle 53 of the device, at which point the travelers i3 are driven onto the traveler ring i2. The transfer of the travelers l3 from the point 5% to the raceway 52 is effected by an oscillating transfer wheel 54, the same being journaled in, a recess cut in the frame ll. The transfer wheel 54 has a substantially flat surfacedisposed below the annular surface 35 a spacing equivalent to the thickness of a traveler i3 and includes an upstanding arcuate shoulder 55 disposed, in one extreme of its stroke, at the point 5| to engage behind a traveler i3 discharged from the magazine 35. The top of shoulder 55 is flush with the surface 35 and diminishes into the flat surface of the transfer wheel 54 in an inclined plane 55, see Fig. '7, to permit a traveler l3 disposed at the point 5i to be engaged behind the shoulder 55 during the return movement of the transfer wheel 55. The wheel 54 is oscillated a predetermined angular distance co-actively with the sliding of the plunger H9 in either direction, the movement being transmitted thru a bell crank lever 51 and a connecting rod 58 associated in the manner shown. The raceway 52 at its receiving end is arranged to project over the transfer wheel 54 so that the series of travelers l3 are delivered into the raceway without risk of clog- As aforeindicated the raceway 52 is made adjustable so as to accommodate various sizes of travelers, substantially as shown in Fig. 3. A"

bottom and side wall of the raceway 52 is formed in an angle member 55, the same being integral with the frame IT. The top and other side wall of the raceway 52 are formed by an angle bar 5|, the same being adjustably carried on the member 65 to be set relative to same to fit the size of traveler to be used, as indicated in dot and dash outline. In the respective ends of the walls-of the bar 6! are threadedly mounted adjustment screws 52. a groove 83 formed in the head thereof and each screw head is slidably retained in a slot 64 formed in the respective walls of the member 53, each of the slots 34 including a bead 55 for engagement in the groove 53. In this manner, by turning the respective screws 32, the bar 6| may be adjusted to the desired setting to accommodate the traveler to be used.

It is to be noted here that the feeder mechanism thus far described provides for delivering a series Each of the screws 52 has "of travelers 3 to the nozzle 53in unison with the ceeding traveler I3 is synchronously shunted from the terminal of the raceway 52 into the path of the plunger l9 by means/of a shunting block 65.

The block 66 is slidably carried in a suitable groove in the frame l1 being urged by a spring 61 toward the path of the plunger I9. The block 66 includes an inclined plane 68 against which a wedge lug 69 engages. The wedge lug 69 extends laterally from the plunger [9 so that as the latter slides in either direction the shunting block 66 is moved laterally, thereby. shunting each succeeding traveler l3 from the terminal of the raceway 52 into the path of travel of the plunger end 20.

To conveniently fix the position of the traveler .gun l4 relative to the spinning machine 8, as shown in Fig. 1, the frame I! of the gun is provided with a notch III, the same being adapted to receive the spinning machine rail II. It will be observed that in order to accurately position the nozzle 53 of the gun l4 relative to the ring l2 it is preferred that the operator adjust the position of the gun I4 at will. To effect this the positioning notch It is provided with a resiliently mounted block H, see Figs. 2 and 4, the same being backed by a spring 12. The block 'H being slidably mounted in a dove-tail groove ll formed in the frame ll, permits of adjusting the positioning of the nozzle 53 by varying the pressure by which the gun I4 is held in place against the rail l I. To accommodate various sizes of the rails l l the block H includes a projecting plate 13 forming a shoulder at the bottom of the block H, the plate 13 being adjustable by the means shown in Fig. 4:. The plate 13 is mounted on the block H by a pair of guide pins 14 sliding in suitable recesses in the block 1| An adjustment screw I5 threadedly engaging the block H and retained by a shoulder 16 in the plate 13 provides for adjusting the plate a 13 to or from the block H, as required to fit the rail II.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame including a grip and a barrel, 2. plunger slidably carried in said barrel, hammer means adapted to impact said plunger, an actuating lever operably associated with said hammer means for retracting same, feeder means including a rotatable magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein actuable by said lever means, means for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to said plunger and means adapted to deliver a single traveler from said magazine into said guiding means. i

2. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame having a barrel and a grip, a normally retracted plunger slidable in said barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact said plunger and a lever pivoted on said grip for retracing said hammer, feeder means 'magazineinto-said raceway. a

comprising a magazine'adaptedto retairr a-ser'ies of travelers in alignment therein a raceway for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to said plunger end and" transfer means adapted to deliver a f single traveler from said 3. A traveler placementdevice comprising in combination, .a framelhaving abarrel and a grip, a normally retracted-"plunger slidable insaid barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact saidplungerand a lever pivoted on said grip for retracting said hammer, feeder means comprising a magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein, a race- 7 Way for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to a position adjacent said plunger end and shunting means actuable by' movement of said plunger for shunting a single traveler from said raceway and into the path of travel of said plunger.

4. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame having a barrel and a grip, a normally retracted plunger slidable in said barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact said plunger and a lever pivoted on said grip for retracting said hammer, feeder means comprising a magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein, a raceway for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to said plunger end and transfer means adapted to deliver a single traveler from said magazine into said raceway, said raceway being expandible in crosssection to accommodate travelers of various sizes.

5. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame having a barrel and a grip, a normally retracted plunger slidable in said barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact said plunger and a lever pivoted on said grip for retracting said hammer, feeder means comprising a magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein, a raceway for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to said plunger end and transfer means adapted to deliver a single traveler from said magazine into said raceway, said raceway being expandible in cross-section. to accommodate travelers of various sizes and comprising a longitudinal angle member forming two walls of said raceway rigidly mounted on said frame and an adjustable angle bar forming complemental Walls of said raceway and means for adjusting said angle bar.

6. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame having a barrel and a grip, a normally retracted plunger slidable in said barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact said plunger and a lever pivoted on said grip for retracting said hammer, feeder means comprising a. magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein, said means including a series of axially disposed guide bars substantially T-shaped in cross-section, a slide block carried on each of said bars adapted to forwardly urge the series of travelers, a raceway for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to a position adjacent said plunger end ,and shunting means actuable by movement of said plunger for shunting a single traveler from said raceway and into the path of travel of said plunger.

7. A traveler placement device comprising in combination, a frame having a barreland a grip, a normally retracted plunger slidable in said barrel, operating means associated with said grip and including a spring actuated hammer adapted to impact said plunger and a lever pivoted on said grip for retracting said hammer, feeder means comprising a magazine adapted to retain a series of travelers in alignment therein, said 10 means including a series of axially disposed guide bars substantially T-shaped in cross-section, a slide block carried on each of said bars adapted to forwardly urge the series of travelers, a ratchet Wheel mounted within said magazine and engageable with a spring backed pawl adapted to be rotated upon the actuation of said hammer, a raceway for guiding a progression of travelers from said magazine to a position adjacent said plunger end and shunting means actuable by movement of said plunger for shunting a single traveler from said raceway and into the path of travel of said plunger.

ROBERT P. ANDREOLI. 

